As I mentioned last week, much of what I'm knitting at the moment needs to stay under wraps for a while longer, which doesn't make for exciting chat here on the blog. But I do have a few projects that have advanced somewhat since my last round up of projects. If you click on any of the images in this post, it will take you to my Ravelry pages, where you will find needle and yarn information and all the cool technical details you may require!
Read moreUsing Ravelry part 2
There are so many different ways to use a website like Ravelry. Many people visit only to purchase patterns, while others use it to keep track of their projects, yarn and books, and still more use the forums to chat online to like-minded crafters. However you choose to use Ravelry, I hope that some of the hints and tips in this article might come in handy.
In the first part of this Masterclass series, we looked at the information you can store in your Notebook section of Ravelry, as well as how to use the Pattern and Yarn databases. In this instalment, we will focus on the social side of the website.
Read moreA few missing FOs
One of the things I love about reading knitting blogs, is coming across new yarns and patterns to lust over. There are never enough knitting hours in the day for all the projects I wish I could make, but that never seems to stop me from adding yet another beautiful design to my queue.
Unfortunately most of what I'm working on at the moment is for the book, so I can't share it just yet... But I've realised that I have finished a few things since I last did a round up of what I was working on (way back in November - where did those weeks go to??). If you click on any of the photos it will take you over to my Ravelry pages, where you can get all the details on patterns, yarn and needles and so on - just in case you feel inspired to add to your queue!
Read moreHow to... Use a Hap Blocking Frame
Blocking your knitting is one of the most satisfying and transformative processes. What starts out looking like a hair net, can be utterly changed by a good soak and stretch. While blocking has a place in the finishing of most knitwear, it is particularly vital when knitting lace patterns. Stretching out the wet lace and leaving it to dry reveals the beauty of the patterning in a way that's almost unimaginable when you are knitting the tangled-looking mess.
The following tutorial is going to show you how to use a hap blocking frame (aka hap stretcher) to block square, rectangular and right-angled triangle haps and shawls. Hap is the Shetland word for a shawl designed for everyday wear.
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